title: Direct effects of type I interferons on cells of the immune system.
abstract: Type I interferons (IFN-I) are well-known inducers of tumor cell apoptosis and antiangiogenesis via signaling through a common receptor interferon alpha receptor (IFNAR). IFNAR induces the Janus activated kinase-signal transducer and activation of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway in most cells, along with other biochemical pathways that may differentially operate, depending on the responding cell subset, and jointly control a large collection of genes. IFNs-I were found to systemically activate natural killer (NK) cell activity. Recently, mouse experiments have shown that IFNs-I directly activate other cells of the immune system, such as antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC) and CD4 and CD8 T cells. Signaling through the IFNAR in T cells is critical for the acquisition of effector functions. Cross-talk between IFNAR and the pathways turned on by other surface lymphocyte receptors has been described. Importantly, IFNs-I also increase antigen presentation of the tumor cells to be recognized by T lymphocytes. These IFN-driven immunostimulatory pathways offer opportunities to devise combinatorial immunotherapy strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gene Therapy and Hepatology, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hervas-Stubbs
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Perez-Gracia
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rouzaut
authors.forename: Miguel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sanmamed
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Le Bon
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002477:Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I